Boyzone star Ronan Keating sang a heartbreaking rendition of This is Your Song today at his older brother Ciaran’s emotional funeral service in Ireland after he died in a horror car crash.
Ronan was one of the pallbearers who carried his older brother Ciaran Keating’s coffin to St. Patrick’s Church in Louisburgh, County Mayo before paying a heartfelt musical tribute at the funeral service.
Ciaran, who was in his 50s, died in a car accident in the rural county over the weekend while traveling with his wife Annemarie to watch their 27-year-old son Ruairí play football.
The father-of-three, from Louisburgh, suffered fatal injuries while traveling with Annemarie on the N5 near Swinford, County Mayo, on a stretch of road known as an accident black spot. His wife was injured in the accident.
Today, 46-year-old Ronan appeared overcome with emotion as he carried his brother’s coffin to St. Patrick’s Church for a funeral mass while wearing a black suit and dark sunglasses.
The pallbearers were followed by a crowd of mourners, including members of Cork City FC, who Ciaran’s son Ruairi plays for, as well as representatives of the Marie Keating Foundation, a cancer charity.
Boyzone star Ronan Keating (second from left) was one of the pallbearers who carried his older brother Ciaran’s coffin to his funeral service in Ireland after he died in a horror car crash
Ronan Keating (center center left) helps carry his brother Ciaran Keating’s coffin to St. Patrick’s Church in Louisburgh,
Ronan Keating is pictured with his older brother Ciaran
Ronan Keating (center center left) helps carry his brother Ciaran Keating’s coffin to St. Patrick’s Church in Louisburgh for his funeral on Thursday
The pallbearers were followed by a crowd of mourners, including members of Cork City FC, who Ciaran’s son Ruairi plays for, as well as representatives of the Marie Keating Foundation, a cancer charity.
Ronan later sang This Is Your Song towards the end of an emotional service this afternoon.
The song’s lyrics included, “You were our friend, walk with you to the end, and one day we’ll all sing along, ’cause this is your song.”
The former Boyzone singer said the song was written after their mother, Marie, died in 1998.
“I shouldn’t be singing it under these circumstances, but we are doing it and we will do it,” said Keating.
He added that Ciaran’s children had made their father “very proud.”
The Irish singer had ‘dropped everything’ to rush back to comfort his family in Ireland once he learned that Ciaran had died in the car crash last weekend.
A friend of the Boyzone and The One Show star said he is “absolutely devastated” but is “trying to stay strong for the sake of his family,” while his former bandmate Keith Duffy and other stars have personally paid tribute to his late brother.
Ronan Keating (center center left) helps carry his brother Ciaran Keating’s coffin to St. Patrick’s Church in Louisburgh for his funeral on Thursday
An emotional Rohan carried his brother Ciaran’s coffin through Louisburgh to church ahead of his funeral service on Thursday
Ronan Keating and his brother Ciaran (left) pictured at a charity event earlier in July
The crash came 24 hours before Ruairí’s 28th birthday. The attacker played for the Irish teams Sligo Rovers and Galway United and for the English Torquay United
Ronan Keating was seen carrying his brother’s coffin for the funeral service in Louisburgh on Thursday
The pallbearers were followed by a crowd of mourners, including members of Cork City FC, who Ciaran’s son Ruairi plays for, as well as representatives of the Marie Keating Foundation, a cancer charity.
Ciaran, a car salesman, and his wife were driving to see their son Ruairí, 28, play for Cork City in a League of Ireland match with Sligo Rovers when their car collided with another vehicle on Sunday afternoon.
The driver of the other vehicle was to be treated for serious injuries, while Ann Marie, a high school teacher, was treated for injuries believed to be non-life threatening at Mayo University Hospital.
Ciaran and Ronan, who have three other siblings, lost their mother Marie to cancer in 1998. The family established the Marie Keating Foundation in her honor.
When news of the crash came out, Ronan’s Boyzone bandmate Keith Duffy shared a heartfelt tribute to Ciaran.
The former Coronation Street actor said: ‘I cannot comprehend the loss and devastation of my brother @rokeating and the entire Keating family. My entire family is praying and thinking about our Keating family at this time.
‘Ciaran from the beginning you toured with us, you were a great guide on our journey in the beginning. You helped and supported us young innocent children.
“Take your place in heaven, buddy with your Mam Marie.”
Former EastEnders actor Sean Maguire was one of many to comment on Keith’s moving message, writing: ‘Oh no. How awful. Ciaran was a sweetheart. He was so nice… loved the man. I send you and the Keating’s love.’
Strictly Come Dancing professional Nadiya Bychkova and BBC presenter Gethin Jones also shared their condolences to the Keating family.
According to The sun, a friend of Ronan’s said, “It’s the call no one wants to take about their loved ones. Ronan dropped everything as soon as he heard the devastating news.
“He’s trying to stay strong for the sake of the family and doing everything he can to support his sister-in-law and nephews.”
Ronan Keating (center center left) helps carry his brother Ciaran Keating’s coffin to St. Patrick’s Church in Louisburgh on Thursday
Ronan helps carry his brother’s coffin as he is followed by mourners in Louisburgh on Thursday
Hundreds of mourners waited outside the church today to pay their respects
Mourners watch as Ciaran’s coffin is brought into the church
The crash came just days before footballer Ruairí’s 28th birthday. The footballer started the match for Cork against Sligo Rovers, but was taken off at half time.
The striker played for Sligo Rovers and Galway United, as well as England’s Torquay United.
Ciarán was involved in the licensed pub trade in the village of Lecanvey, a seaside village about four miles from Westport.
Ronan Keating rose to fame in the 1990s as a member of the boy band Boyzone, which became one of the best-selling acts of its time.
He later embarked on a successful solo music career and hosted numerous radio and TV programmes.
Keating was a guest presenter on BBC’s The One Show before becoming main presenter in May 2021.
Last month it was announced that the star has been booked as a coach on the 13th series of The Voice of Germany.
Ronan’s group Boyzone has had nine No. 1 singles in Ireland and six in the UK. Of the 24 singles they released in the UK, 21 entered the top 40. Ronan has had three solo No. 1 singles and four No. 1 albums in the UK charts.
This is a breaking news story, more to follow…